PHB synthase in Rhodobacter sphaeroides



=Introduction=

Rhodobacter sphaeroides is a metabolically versatile purple photosynthetic α-proteobacterium that produces polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) as inclusions inside its cell. PHB is a biopolymer that has properties similar to synthetic polymers such as polyethylene and hence has the potential of being used as a biopolymer. The biochemical pathway for PHB production in this organism is complex and is controlled by the actions of several gene products. A pathway for PHB production in this organism has been proposed, in which the monomeric precursor is formed by two different pathways. . PHB synthase encoded by phaC is responsible for conversion of the monomeric precursor of PHB R(-)-β-Hydroxybutyryl-CoA into polyhydroxybutyrate .Rhodobacter sphaeroides possesses the Class I phylogenetic group of PHA synthases. Class I PHA synthases prefer utilization of CoA thioesters of various (R)-3-hydroxy fatty acids comprising of 3 to 5 carbon atoms.

=Function=

The enzyme is predicted to catalyze the conversion of the monomeric precursor of PHB into PHB with the release of CoA. In other words these enzymes mediate the conversion of a soluble substrate into polymerized insoluble inclusions inside the cells of these bacteria.

=Properties=

Clicking on the green links will show different forms of the structure. A description of what the colors mean are given below the green links.

PHB sythase domain in N>C rainbow color

Ball and Stick model in N>C rainbow color

PHB synthase domain showing hydrophobic/polar residues

,

Secondary Structure

,,.

Number of amino acids: 601

Molecular weight: 66831.6

Theoretical pI: 5.63

Amino acid sequence:

1 mateeqspgs grdaqferln anltridels krltaaltkr klsdpalhgp sgdvflkamt

61 aymaemmqnp akilehqisf wgkslkhyve aqhqlvkgel kpppdvtpkd rrfsnplwqt

121 hpffnylkqq ylmnaeavnq avealehiep sdkkrveyfs rqivdlfspt nffgtnpdal

181 eraiatdges lvqglenlvr dieanngdll vtladpeafq vgqnlatteg svvyrnrmfe

241 liqykpttet vhetpllifp pwinkfyild lkpqnsllkw lvdqgftvfv vswvnpdksy

301 agigmddyir egymramaev rsitrqkqin avgyciagtt ltltlahlqk agdpsvrsat

361 ffttltdfsd pgevgvflnd dfvdgierqv avdgildktf msrtfsylrs ndliyqpaik

421 symmgeappa fdllywngdg tnlpaqmave ylrglcqqdr laggtfpvlg spvglkdvtl

481 pvcaiacetd hiapwkssfn gfrqfgstdk tfilsqsghv agivnppsrn kyghytnegp

541 agtpesfreg aefhagswwp rwgawlaers gkqvparqpg dskhpelapa pgsyvaavgg

601 a

Amino acid Composition:

Ala (A) 52	  8.7%, Arg (R) 29	  4.8%, Asn (N) 26	  4.3%, Asp (D) 34	  5.7%, Cys (C)  4	  0.7%, Gln (Q) 29	  4.8%, Glu (E) 35	  5.8%, Gly (G) 46	  7.7%, His (H) 13	  2.2%, Ile (I) 24	  4.0%, Leu (L) 54	  9.0%, Lys (K) 28	  4.7%, Met (M) 14	  2.3%, Phe (F) 31	  5.2%, Pro (P) 40	  6.7%, Ser (S) 36	  6.0%, Thr (T) 37	  6.2%, Trp (W) 11	  1.8%, Tyr (Y) 20	  3.3%. Val (V) 38	  6.3% Pyl (O)  0	  0.0% Sec (U)  0	  0.0%

Total number of negatively charged residues (Asp + Glu): 69 Total number of positively charged residues (Arg + Lys): 57

Atomic composition:

Carbon     C	      3004 Hydrogen   H	      4612 Nitrogen   N	       808 Oxygen     O	       888 Sulfur     S	        18

Total number of atoms: 9330

Extinction coefficients:

Extinction coefficients are in units of M-1 cm-1, at 280 nm measured in water.

Ext. coefficient   90550 Abs 0.1% (=1 g/l)  1.355, assuming ALL Cys residues appear as half cystines Ext. coefficient   90300 Abs 0.1% (=1 g/l)  1.351, assuming NO Cys residues appear as half cystines

Estimated half-life:

The N-terminal of the sequence considered is M (Met).

The estimated half-life is: 30 hours (mammalian reticulocytes, in vitro). >20 hours (yeast, in vivo). >10 hours (Escherichia coli, in vivo).

Instability index:

The instability index (II) is 41.97 This classifies the protein as unstable.

Aliphatic index: 77.60

Grand average of hydropathicity (GRAVY): -0.330



'''ANIMATED IMAGE OF THE PUTATIVE PHB SYNTHASE DOMAIN SHOWING AMINO ACIDS 286 TO 547 IN Rhodobacter sphaeroides OBTAINED FROM POLYVIEW-3D''

=Probable Reseach:Challenges towards our Understanding=

1. What is the molecular basis of regulation of PHB synthesis in this organism and what is the role of this protein in it?

2. How does environmental factors such as presence or absence of oxygen or nitrogen affect the activity of this protein in R.sphaeroides?

3. What are the activators or repressor factors, if any, responsible for production of this protein in this organism?

=How was the animated image generated?=

1. Go to the POLYVIEW 3D homepage, http://polyview.cchmc.org/polyview3d.html

2. On the submission form, first select 'animation' in the "type of request" section, select the size of the animation to be generated in pixels(here the size is 600), then upload the PDB format protein structure file in the "source of structural data" section.

3. On the "chain color and rendering section" select 'cartoon' and 'secondary structure'.

4. On "advanced structural annotation" section select 'docking models in Capri format'.

5. Any other forms for the animation may be selected by referring to the "Samples" according to the protein structure to be animated.

=How was the JMOL image generated?=

1. First retrieve your protein sequence from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/.

2. Go to 3D-JIGSAW page http://bmm.cancerresearchuk.org/~3djigsaw/ and paste the sequence on the submission page. A .pdb format image of your protein will be sent to you on your email which can be opened by RASMOL.

3. Upload this file on Proteopedia and then load the JMol applet for the protein following instructions on the Help:Editing page http://www.proteopedia.org/wiki/index.php/Help:Editing.

4. You can edit your protein by using the scene authoring tools after loading the applet.

=Links to images on this page=

http://bmm.cancerresearchuk.org/~3djigsaw/dom_fish/display2_maestro.cgi?output/fabdae5e, JMOL Image.

http://polyview.cchmc.org/cgi-bin/get_image_3d.cgi?IMG=12407603974718, animated image.

=References=

PAGE CREATED BY MAITREYEE MUKHERJEE, email:maitreyee25@gmail.com

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Jill Zeilstra Ryalls, Professor, Bowling Green State University.